The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources have scheduled negotiation sessions with seven Cross Valley Contractors on long-term conveyance contracts for the delivery of federal Central Valley Project water that includes conveyance through state-owned facilities.

Reclamation, the Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the contractors have previously entered into successive, short-term interim renewal contracts pursuant to the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, which included both federal water service and state conveyance terms and conditions. However, DWR now prefers that its conveyance responsibilities be defined in a separate contract that is exclusive of Reclamation’s water service responsibilities.

The contractors are the Hills Valley Irrigation District, Kern-Tulare Water District, Lower Tule River Irrigation District, Pixley Irrigation District, Tri-Valley Water District, the county of Tulare and the county of Fresno.

The public is welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to comment. Participation instructions and all pertinent documents will be provided at the beginning of the session. For additional information, including directions to the South-Central California Area Office, please contact Rena Ballew, Repayment Specialist, at 559-487-5504 (TTY 800-735-2929), fax 559-487-5397, or e-mail rballew@usbr.gov.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.